Attention Parents: Asbestos Found in Playskool Crayons

It’s back to school time, which means parents are venturing out to collect all the items on their children’s back to school shopping lists. However, there is one item parents should avoid for the time being, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). Earlier this week, the U.S. PIRG revealed that a 36-pack of Playskool crayons currently being sold at Dollar Tree, Amazon, and eBay “tested positive for trace amounts of asbestos.”

It’s back to school time, which means parents are venturing out to collect all the items on their children’s back to school shopping lists. However, there is one item parents should avoid for the time being, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). Earlier this week, the U.S. PIRG revealed that a 36-pack of Playskool crayons currently being sold at Dollar Tree, Amazon, and eBay “tested positive for trace amounts of asbestos.”

“We tested six types of crayons for asbestos and one tested positive for tremolite: Playskool crayons (36 count) that we purchased at Dollar Tree. We tested the green color crayon. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and can lead to serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Pictures of the tremolite fibers taken from the laboratory are included in Appendix A.”

“The safety of our customers and associates is our top priority. Our company utilizes a very stringent and independent testing program to ensure our supplier products meet or exceed all safety and legal standards. We are aware of the report and have since re-verified that each of the listed products successfully passed inspection and testing.”

Just how dangerous is exposure to asbestos, though? Well, according to the EPA, exposure to asbestos is only possible when “asbestos-containing material is disturbed and particles become airborne.” Nonetheless, the U.S. PIRG is urging parents to be vigilant about their child’s safety, which includes avoiding the 36-pack of Playskool crayons. What do you think? Should Dollar Tree and Playskool issue a formal recall of the crayons?

About Brianna Smith

Brianna Smith is a freelance writer and editor in Southwest Michigan. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Brianna has a passion for politics, social issues, education, science, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the simple life with her husband, daughter, and son.

About Legal Reader

Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harm’s way. We are unapologetic in our dedication to informing the public and unafraid to call out those who are more focused on profits than people’s safety.